Hann Resorts’ Mother’s Day Campaign takes a deeper look into the inspiring stories of Wonder Moms within the organization. One such story belongs to Ms. Mitchell Estacio, the Vice President for Finance – Hann Philippines, Inc., whose journey as a mother and executive is a testament to strength, dedication, and the power of a strong support system.
At the age of 26, Mitchell experienced the unexpected joy of motherhood when she welcomed her first child into the world. Initially unprepared and without any plans for marriage or starting a family, she embraced the surprise with open arms. The moment she discovered her pregnancy, a shiver of excitement ran through her, and she knew that she was about to embark on an extraordinary journey.
When asked to define a Wonder Mom, she emphasized that it is not a one-size-fits-all concept. Every parent’s journey is unique, and being a wonder mom is about making a daily commitment to be present for their children. While she considers herself fortunate to have a supportive partner in her husband and parents who assist in caring for her kids, she recognizes the challenges faced by single parents or those without a reliable support system. She believes that many others are true wonder women and men, navigating parenthood without the same level of support she has been fortunate to have.
She looks up to her own mom, who exemplified the qualities of prioritizing her children in all her endeavors. Despite being a career woman herself, her mother consistently balanced work and family responsibilities, a trait that she admires and seeks to emulate. She believes that expressing love and care through simple acts, such as waking up early, saying “I love you” and preparing breakfast, form the foundation of a strong parent-child bond.
Reflecting on her own journey, she acknowledges that self-doubt occasionally creeps in, but it is countered by the moments when her children express gratitude and affection.
As a mom, her ultimate goal is for her children to be healthy, happy individuals who positively impact others. She believes that success should not be limited to academic achievements but rather measured by their ability to lead fulfilling lives while respecting and uplifting others. Through love letters and constant reminders, she encourages her children to always choose what is right and strive to be a positive influence in the lives of others.
She is a proud mother of three children, with her eldest turning 20 and her youngest being 15. Balancing her role as an executive and a mom has been a continuous journey of making choices and being present in all aspects of her life. She believes that true balance is achieved by giving equal importance to every aspect, whether it’s work, family, or personal well-being.
Throughout her career, she has held various positions, starting as an associate at Sycip Gorres Velayo and Co. (SGV), the Philippines’ largest and leading professional services firm. After staying less than a year in SGV, her mom helped her secure a job at the Civil Service Commission as the Regional Accountant. Her mom believed that being in a government position would provide stability for the rest of her career. However, she wasn’t happy in that role. After 3 years, she decided to resign from Civil Service Commission. Her next stop Luen Thai Holdings, Inc., a multi-national company based in Hong Kong, where she met her husband. She then worked at one of the resorts in Clark for five years before joining Lewis & Saunders Asia where she stayed for one year and eventually found her way to Hann Philippines, Inc. Over her 12 years with the company, she has grown both professionally and personally, embracing the challenges and opportunities that have come her way.
During her free time, she engages in various activities that bring her joy and relaxation. One of her favorite pastimes is reading books. To make it more cost-effective, she has a Kindle subscription, which allows her to access a wide range of books. Additionally, she enjoys crafting and watching movies. While she prefers movies over TV series because they keep her engaged, she often multitasks while watching by cooking or doing household chores. She also finds time for Netflix and takes care of her household laundry. These activities make up her free time, allowing her to unwind and enjoy moments of leisure.
She is quite adventurous when it comes to crafts and likes to explore various art forms. Currently, she is into leather crafting, but she has previously delved into paper flower crafts and personalized items. To enhance her crafting skills, she attends several workshops and plans to participate in future learning sessions. It all began when she discovered the Cricut machine in 2020. Before that, she used to spend her free time writing since she has a passion for literature and poetry.
While she primarily engages in crafting as a personal hobby and source of fulfillment, she does occasionally sell her creations to friends or acquaintances who express interest in them. If time permits, she accepts orders and fulfills them. However, her Her main motivation for crafting is the joy it brings her rather than focusing solely on commercial aspects. She takes pride in the creative process and the satisfaction of seeing the finished products.
In November 2021, she was invited to become a brand ambassador for the Cricut Philippines. Cricut is a renowned brand in the United States and Canada, and it made its way to the Philippines in 2020. As the brand was relatively new in the country, she joined the local crafting community and shared her knowledge and experiences. Despite not being an avid user of Facebook, she found it fulfilling to connect with fellow crafters and enthusiasts, offering guidance and support through Zoom sessions or private messages. This journey led her to become one of the influencers in the crafting community, promoting the capabilities of the Cricut machines and inspiring others to explore their creativity.
Crafting provides Mitch with a sense of instant accomplishment and relaxation. It serves as an outlet for her emotions and allows her to calm her mind, even amidst busy schedules and daily pressures. The creative process itself, whether it’s working with leather or exploring different crafting techniques, helps her maintain a sense of balance and tranquility. Moreover, the opportunity to interact with fellow crafters and inspire them has been immensely fulfilling. Witnessing their growth and seeing them start their own small businesses based on what they have learned fills her with a sense of pride and purpose. It reminds her of the impact she can have on others by sharing her knowledge and passions.
For Mitch, her crafting hobby and her professional life are closely intertwined. She believes that enriching people’s lives is not just a career goal but a life goal. Crafting has been enriching and her opportunity to enrich others.
Mitch firmly believes that it’s crucial for working moms to make time for themselves and engage in activities that bring them fulfillment. Whether it’s singing, painting, or trying something new that they’ve always wanted to do, finding moments for self-expression and personal growth can have a profound impact on their overall well-being. It is through these experiences that they can continue to discover their own abilities and expand their horizons.
Lastly, she advises all moms not to limit themselves to a singular career or role. Just as she tells her own children, she encourages wonder moms to embrace their multifaceted nature and explore various passions and possibilities. They can be doctors, chefs, athletes, and career-driven individuals while also being devoted parents. The key is to never stop dreaming, never limit oneself to a single path, and continually strive to become more than what society expects them to be.
In her eyes, the true wonder of being a woman lies in discovering endless possibilities that one can explore, the many roles that can be embraced, and the constant pursuit of personal growth and fulfillment. By nurturing their own passions, wonder moms can inspire their children to lead lives filled with fun, purpose, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to self-discovery.
